fingerprint

fin·ger·print

noun \-ˌprint\

Definition of FINGERPRINT

1

: the impression of a fingertip on any surface; also : an ink impression of the lines upon the fingertip taken for the purpose of identification

2

: something that identifies: as a : a trait, trace, or characteristic revealing origin or responsibility b : analytical evidence (as a spectrogram) that characterizes an object or substance; especially : the chromatogram or electrophoretogram obtained by cleaving a protein by enzymatic action and subjecting the resulting collection of peptides to two-dimensional chromatography or electrophoresis c : the base-pair pattern in an individual's DNA obtained by DNA fingerprinting

— fingerprint transitive verb

— fin·ger·print·ing noun

Examples of FINGERPRINT

1. Detectives found his fingerprints all over the gun.
2. Everyone has a unique fingerprint.

Illustration of FINGERPRINT

First Known Use of FINGERPRINT

1859

Related to FINGERPRINT

Synonyms: affection, attribute, attribution, character, criterion, diagnostic, differentia, feature, characteristic, hallmark, mark, marker, note, particularity, peculiarity, point, property, quality, specific, stamp, touch, trait

Related Words: badge, indication, sign; emblem, symbol, token; charm, grace; excellence, merit, virtue; eccentricity, idiosyncrasy, oddity, quirk; individuality, singularity, uniqueness

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Rhymes with FINGERPRINT

aquatint, calamint, contact print, cuckoopint, mezzotint, overprint, peppermint, wunderkind